Allopurinol (Generic)

Generic Allopurinol is used to treat gout or kidney stones, and to decrease levels of uric acid in people who are receiving cancer treatment.

Generic Allopurinol is a purine analog; it is a structural isomer of hypoxanthine (a naturally occurring purine in the body) and is an inhibitor of the enzyme xanthine oxidase. Xanthine oxidase is responsible for the successive oxidation of hypoxanthine and xanthine, resulting in the production of uric acid, the product of human purine metabolism.

Take Generic Allopurinol exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.

Take each dose with a full glass of water. To reduce your risk of kidney stones forming, drink 8 to 10 full glasses of fluid every day, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. You may have gout attacks more often when you first start taking Generic Allopurinol. Your doctor may recommend other gout medication to take with Generic Allopurinol. Keep using your medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after a few months of treatment.

Generic Allopurinol can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. Your blood may need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Generic Allopurinol: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Generic Allopurinol and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;

• the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild;
• pain or bleeding when you urinate;
• nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, weight loss, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• urinating less than usual or not at all;
• joint pain, flu symptoms;
• severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness; or
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin.

Less serious Generic Allopurinol side effects may include:

• vomiting, diarrhea;
• drowsiness, headache;
• changes in your sense of taste; or
• muscle pain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur.

Always read the ingredients before taking this or any other medication to ensure that there are no elements that may elicit an allergic reaction.

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Generic Allopurinol may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Avoid drinking alcohol. It may worsen your condition.

Your doctor may recommend a special diet to help treat your condition. Follow your diet and medication routines very closely.
Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or plan on becoming pregnant before taking this medication.

Always read the ingredients before taking this or any other medication to ensure that there are no elements that may elicit an allergic reaction. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• azathioprine (Imuran);
• chlorpropamide (Diabinese);
• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Sandimmune, Neoral);
• mercaptopurine (Purinethol);
• an antibiotic such as ampicillin (Principen, Omnipen, others) or amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin, Trimox, Wymox);
• a blood thinner such as dicoumarol or warfarin (Coumadin); or
• a diuretic (water pill).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Generic Allopurinol.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Store Generic Allopurinol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.